Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has given the first look at their, however tiny, upcoming title, which explores themes of espionage and goes by the codename “Project C4.” As part of this reveal, we received a short teaser trailer and were shown some of the themes that intertwine with the narrative.
While the game, at least from what has been shown, bears some striking similarities to Disco Elysium both in visuals as well as metaphysical exploration of its themes, it has been made clear this is not a sequel. It will take place in a completely new world, drawing inspiration from the Smiley series of novels from John Le Carre (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the first in this novel series, has an outstanding adaptation starring Gary Oldman). It will also feature some psychedelic sci-fi elements which draw from authors Ursula K. Le Guin and Philip K. Dick, with action sequences drawn from The Vengence Trilogy Director park Chan-Wook.
Project C4 will focus on the struggle of spies in the commission of their job. The espionage they take part in, the allies they put their trust in, the inevitable betrayals they will suffer along the way, and the failure when a well-placed plan goes wrong. Failure itself seems to play a significant role, as the game will feature Disco Elysium’s “Fail Forward” philosophy. This will see failure during Project C4 not met with a game-over screen but with the narrative moving forward, forcing the player to live with their mistakes. Additionally, this puts emphasis on whom the player chooses as allies and whom to betray.
The official press release for the game states:
The world of [C4] is rife with shadowy characters who help move the pieces for competing geopolitical powers in a game of concealed conflict. The player sets out to complete a desperate assignment which will put them at risk of losing their life, or much worse – being exposed for what they really are.
As an Operant serving a questionable global power, the player finds themselves locked in a vicious, clandestine struggle for truth and influence. Yet it is the mind that takes centre stage in Project [C4]. More vulnerable and more powerful than the physical world, it can be erased, changed, reordered, and of course significantly altered through regular use of psychoactive substances amongst other means. Players must steel themselves with whatever comfort they can in order to survive the violent canvas of the real.
While this is good news for the studio that absolutely hit the nail on the head with Disco Elysium, it is important to note ZA/UM has gone through some struggles recently, seeing a massive turnover in developers at the studio, with very few remaining from that initial project. Accusations of investor fraud and financial malfeasance have been made, with counter-accusations also being lodged against devs, accusing them of creating a toxic work environment. While these claims were attempted to be reconciled, the end result has been that the development staff of Disco Elysium is now scattered across multiple new studios, with two of these studios planning spiritual successors to Disco Elysium.
For those looking for a great game to play in the meantime that follows in the themes of these titles, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector similarly features a fail-forward philosophy and empesis on dice that sucked me in during my review earlier this year.
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